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Polemonium vanbruntiae

Polemonium vanbruntiae Britton

Vanbrunt's Polemonium

Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)

Synonym(s): Polemonium caeruleum ssp. vanbruntiae

USDA Symbol: POVA5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

An erect stem, leafy to top, bearing few-flowered clusters of bell-shaped, bluish-purple flowers with long, protruding stamens.

The paired leaflets seem to form a ladder up the stem and account for the common name, which alludes to the ladder to heaven seen by Jacob in a dream, as told in the Old Testament. This species is rare throughout its range.

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: MD , ME , NJ , NY , PA , VT , WV
Canada: NB , QC
Native Distribution: Quebec and New Brunswick south to Maryland and West Virginia.
Native Habitat: Swamps, bogs, and mountain openings.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW				FACW				FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 34 - Go Botany (2019) Native Plant Trust
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Polemonium vanbruntiae in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Polemonium vanbruntiae in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Polemonium vanbruntiae

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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